As you know, for the past two years, the American Physical Society (APS) and the Society’s Committee on International Freedom of Scientists (CIFS) have been concerned about the assassinations of scientists in Iran. Given the trend of killings and possible effects that these actions can have on the international scientific community, the President of the American Physical Society, Dr. Robert Byer, recently signed a public letter condemning the murders. This letter—a copy of which is enclosed—also reaffirms the Society’s belief that science can be used to promote international peace.

As the Chair of CIFS, I want make you aware of this public letter. Our committee finds such violence reprehensible and wishes to underscore the Society’s commitment to the rights of scientists everywhere.

Sincerely,

Hossein Sadeghpour

CIFS Chair, 2012

3 February 2012

Science belongs to humanity, transcending boundaries and enriching the lives of people regardless of race, nationality, or belief system. Scientific exchanges and meetings not only advance the enterprise of science, but additionally serve as venues for peaceful cooperation and understanding among scientists. The practice of science should be open and universal, as noted in the American Physical Society’s (APS) Statement on the International Nature of Physics and International Cooperation, http://www.aps.org/policy/statements/89_2.cfm. As this APS statement makes clear, science can serve as a vehicle towards world cooperation, and, as such, we firmly believe that scientists around the world should be protected from violence.

The American Physical Society finds the recent wave of killings of Iranian scientists extremely troubling and welcomes the United States’ condemnation of this type of violence. The American Physical Society condemns acts of violence against scientists everywhere and reaffirms its commitment to international collegiality among physicists and its belief that science can be used to promote international peace.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Byer

APS President

Who are we?

We are members of the American Physical Society proud of our Iranian Heritage